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U2 had been friends with Nelson Mandela for several years, having played concerts in South Africa. When movie producer Harvey Weinstein invited the band to write a song for the soundtrack of the Mandela biography film Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom, they responded with a quick "yes" according to Weinstein.[4] After seeing early cuts of the film, the group were inspired to write a song reflecting upon Mandela.[4] The song was mixed at Electric Lady Studios, New York City.[2]

It was revealed on 17 October 2013, the band had written a song specifically for the film Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom entitled "Ordinary Love", after receiving an invitation from movie producer Harvey Weinstein.[5] Subscribers of the band's official website were able to hear it first on the same day.[6] It was reported that the song was to get a full preview on U2.com on 30 October but instead a news bulletin was released stating the song was to be released on a 10-inch vinyl.[3][5] On 21 November 2013, U2 made the previously announced lyric video available for paying subscribers via their official website. The video was directed by Mac Premo and Oliver Jeffers.[citation needed] On 30 November, the song was made available as a free download on the band's website to paid subscribers.[7]

"Ordinary Love" was released on 29 November 2013 as part of the Record Store Day's "Back to Black Friday". As a limited release, only 10,000 10" vinyl copies were made. During the recording of No Line on the Horizon, U2 worked on two sets of lyrics for "Breathe". The first version was about Nelson Mandela, and the second was "more surreal and personal".[8] Whereas the second version was included on No Line on the Horizon,[8] they decided to include the first version about Mandela on the vinyl as a B-side for "Ordinary Love", entitling it "Breathe (Mandela version)".[4] Weinstein has said that he believes U2 have done a "brilliant job honouring the man".[4]Rolling Stone said, "'Ordinary Love' is about the seeds of dreams, and U2 play it perfectly: down-to-earth, while looking up."[9] As of March 2014, the single has sold 115,000 copies in the United States.[10]